Starter drags - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Jurassic-1** · 07-15-2016, 12:05 AM

I have a 1955 1st series AD pickup with all original 6 volt system. It cranks fine cold but when it gets to operating temp. Around 195 degrees and it gets shut off ti gas up the temp goes to around 210. It starts very slow and I usually let the key off and hit it again. It will always start but it sounds like the battery is dead. The starter is grounded to the block and frame. I have a new regulator and generator and the battery is good. Is it possible the starter is going bad? The truck has 63000 actual miles on it and it has a pushbutton starter since it is an automatic. It has been sitting since 1985. Any Ideas?

**mr48chev** · 07-15-2016, 01:42 AM

I'd say that the bushings in the starter are worn enough so that the armature drags a bit on the field coils. Not a hard fix and not an expensive fix.

Bushings cost under 10 bucks for the pair even if you pay full bore price for them. Delco starter almost all used the same bushings. Here is the O'reilly link http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...make=Chevrolet

Then a set of brushes 2 choices depending on what is in the starter now. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...make=Chevrolet

You don't have to buy them from there that is just and example of what you are looking for.

Rebuilding one isn't hard but I'd look for a you tube video on rebuilding a Delco starter before starting on it. I tried to put a photo tutorial together on it at one time but without someone to handle the camera it didn't work out well. The main issue is getting the old bushings out and for that I modified an old flat tip screwdriver by sharpening and rounding one side of the tip to use as a chisel to drive between the bushing and housing to split the bushing. I lost my favorite one I made 40 years ago and used for years and had to make a new one a while back from a flea market used screwdriver. I use an old king pin as a driver to drive the new bushings in as I have never bought a bushing driver set. grease the bushings with a little dab of grease before putting it back together. The brushes are pretty self explanatory once you see how they go in and you just have to make sure you get the beveled side in so it fits against the commutator flat. You have to spread the brushes out to get them around the commutator and that can be a challenge the first time. There you go fresh starter for beer money rather than paying the exchange price.

**Jurassic-1** · 07-17-2016, 06:37 PM

Thanks for the information. I will take a look. It probably is original since there is only 64,000 miles on the truck.

07-15-2016, 12:05 AM	#1
Jurassic-1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New River Arizona Posts: 1,180	Starter drags I have a 1955 1st series AD pickup with all original 6 volt system. It cranks fine cold but when it gets to operating temp. Around 195 degrees and it gets shut off ti gas up the temp goes to around 210. It starts very slow and I usually let the key off and hit it again. It will always start but it sounds like the battery is dead. The starter is grounded to the block and frame. I have a new regulator and generator and the battery is good. Is it possible the starter is going bad? The truck has 63000 actual miles on it and it has a pushbutton starter since it is an automatic. It has been sitting since 1985. Any Ideas?

07-15-2016, 01:42 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,719	Re: Starter drags I'd say that the bushings in the starter are worn enough so that the armature drags a bit on the field coils. Not a hard fix and not an expensive fix. Bushings cost under 10 bucks for the pair even if you pay full bore price for them. Delco starter almost all used the same bushings. Here is the O'reilly link http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...make=Chevrolet Then a set of brushes 2 choices depending on what is in the starter now. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...make=Chevrolet You don't have to buy them from there that is just and example of what you are looking for. Rebuilding one isn't hard but I'd look for a you tube video on rebuilding a Delco starter before starting on it. I tried to put a photo tutorial together on it at one time but without someone to handle the camera it didn't work out well. The main issue is getting the old bushings out and for that I modified an old flat tip screwdriver by sharpening and rounding one side of the tip to use as a chisel to drive between the bushing and housing to split the bushing. I lost my favorite one I made 40 years ago and used for years and had to make a new one a while back from a flea market used screwdriver. I use an old king pin as a driver to drive the new bushings in as I have never bought a bushing driver set. grease the bushings with a little dab of grease before putting it back together. The brushes are pretty self explanatory once you see how they go in and you just have to make sure you get the beveled side in so it fits against the commutator flat. You have to spread the brushes out to get them around the commutator and that can be a challenge the first time. There you go fresh starter for beer money rather than paying the exchange price. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

07-17-2016, 06:37 PM	#3
Jurassic-1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New River Arizona Posts: 1,180	Re: Starter drags Thanks for the information. I will take a look. It probably is original since there is only 64,000 miles on the truck.



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